I. MS. WILLIAMS\u2019 ATTACK ON THE COMMITTEE
\nII. LETTER FROM CHARLES FERNANDEZ
\nIII. MEMBERS REACTIONS TO MS. WILLIAMS AND RMASF<\/p>\n
Dear Local 47 and AFM Members,<\/p>\n
Here is why Serena\u2019s claims about the committee are false.<\/p>\n
The formation of the committee was a direct result of the Espinosa
\nadministration’s actions. It had nothing to do with Tom Lee or an
\nelection year. <\/p>\n
SOME OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR THE COMMITTEE\u2019S FORMATION:<\/p>\n
-The ESPINOSA ADMINISTRATION\u2019S doubling of the size of the
\ngeneral membership meeting quorum (which shut down general
\nmembership meetings for over two years,)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
-Mr. Espinosa’s hiring of a convicted felon as “hatchet man”
\nGeneral Manager of the Local.<\/p>\n
-The subsequent wholesale purges of those employees and
\ncrippling of services most essential to the members not primarily
\ninvolved in the recording industry,) <\/p>\n
These were some of the reasons that the COMMITTEE was created
\nby a number of concerned members, not just one.<\/p>\n
——–<\/p>\n
Recently the COMMITTEE emails went national, sending mailings
\nto AFM convention delegates urging them not to vote for the RMALA
\nElite\u2019s puppet, Hal Espinosa, for AFM President. Mr. Espinosa and
\nhis handler\u2019s were desperate to strike back in a big way. They
\ndecided to use Local 47 Secretary-Treasurer Serena Williams, who
\nboard members have told us, in their opinion, will soon be retiring,
\nto make an unprecedented attack on the COMMITTEE and an
\nindividual member of Local 47.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve discussed this, and have come to the conclusion that,
\noutside elections, this is the first time that a sitting executive
\nofficer of an AFM Local has made such a blatant, vindictive and
\npersonal attack on a fellow member.<\/p>\n
When a person’s or group\u2019s misdeeds are publicly reported, they
\ncan either: (1) change their behavior or (2) blame the messenger.
\nSome of the policies of the RMALA, abetted by the slavish support
\nof the Espinosa administration, have created many of the industry
\nproblems faced by members of our local. Now that we are reaping
\nwhat they have sown, they are mightily trying to shift the blame in
\nother directions.<\/p>\n
How things change,\u2026
\nWhen Ms. Williams husband unfortunately passed away she asked
\nthe COMMITTEE to inform the membership on her behalf, since
\nshe knew of no quicker way to get the word out. The Local had
\nno email blast capability at the time. We were more than happy to
\noblige. It was through the COMMITTEE that the general membership
\nlearned of Earl\u2019s passing, her desires for where donations should
\ngo and what, if any, service or memorial would be presented. Hardly
\na negative act towards Ms. Williams.<\/p>\n
It is only in the last six or so months that the Local has been able
\nto send mass emails, undoubtedly in reaction to the COMMITTEE.
\nWhen she needed us we were an ally, now that we are exposing
\nHal Espinosa\u2019s inability to lead our local, and the danger he would
\nrepresent as AFM President, suddenly we\u2019re loose cannons. The
\ncontinuing claims of the RMALA elites and Local 47 Officers that
\nthe COMMITTEE is only one person is ludicris considering the
\nscores of members who have written into the list. The RMA is fully
\naware of this. Their ongoing intimidation cause most members to
\nremain anonymous.<\/p>\n
If you want to make Ms. William\u2019s letter just a bit more accurate,
\nchange the words “Union” and “Local” to the words \u201cEspinosa
\nAdministration\u201d. It is the COMMITTEE, the FMA and other concerned
\nmembers who have been fighting the Espinosa administration\/
\nRMALA Elite attempts to shut out the members voice. It has been
\nour success thus far in this endeavor that has caused them to be
\nso angry and determined to discredit our collective.<\/p>\n
Charles Fernandez has sent us a letter he requested we send to
\nthe Delegates and the Local members. We are more than happy
\nto oblige. <\/p>\n
Here is his letter:<\/p>\n
———————-<\/p>\n
II. LETTER FROM CHARLES FERNANDEZ<\/p>\n
AFM Delegates and Local 47 Colleagues,<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve read Local 47 Secretary-Treasurer Serena K. William\u2019s
\nrecent personal attack on me, you have now seen firsthand exactly
\nhow vindictive, over the top and vitriolic the Espinosa Administration
\nand Mr. Espinosa\u2019s handlers can be in trying to silence or cripple
\nanyone who speaks up and exactly why the members of the
\nCommittee must remain anonymous.<\/p>\n
Why did they target me? Simple. I have been among the most
\nvocal and active defenders of the rank-and-file against the many
\ndocumented abuses unfortunately committed by the elitist, arrogant R
\nMALA\/Espinosa administration. I was a logical choice.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no surprise or coincidence that Serena chose to use the same
\ntalking points as the RMALA and Mr. Espinosa in her attack, but
\nit\u2019s ironic that she calls my contributions always negative. When
\nher husband, Earl, passed away, I not only made a contribution
\nto the charity of her choice on behalf of Earl, but also sent her
\nflowers at the Local. How soon we forget the small kindnesses
\nwhen political hay is to be made.<\/p>\n
Ms. Williams\u2019 attack was not sent only to the delegates, it was
\nalso sent to the entire Local 47 email list. No doubt a blatant
\nattempt to affect my ability to work in Los Angeles. Unfortunately
\nfor them, the responses I\u2019ve personally received from Local 47
\ncolleagues thus far has been anything but positive toward Ms.
\nWilliams or Mr. Espinosa.<\/p>\n
So, what actions of mine have made me enemy number one for
\nthe Espinosa crowd, and provoked this unprecedented attack by
\na sitting Local 47 Executive Officer, so close to retirement, on a
\nmember in good standing? Here are only a couple of possible
\nexplanations out of the numerous ones available.<\/p>\n
When someone within the Local created an imposter email account
\ntrying to impersonate and discredit the committee, I was the one
\nwho committed my own resources to track down the creator of
\nthe account. As it turns out, it was Hal Espinosa\u2019s Local 47 credit
\ncard and other Local resources, abused by the convicted felon
\nwho was hired by Mr. Espinosa to be his General Manager\/hatchet
\nman at the business offices of the Local.<\/p>\n
With the research and assistance of others, I informed the Local\u2019s
\nExecutive Board that the General Manager was a convicted felon,
\nwhose employment was thus in violation of Federal labor law.
\nThis manager had been a nightmare to our employees, creating a
\nhostile work environment and relishing his power over them by
\nthreatening them, playing games with their employment and
\nmaking them wonder from one day to the next whether they
\nwould be the next to be fired under orders from Mr. Espinosa or
\nMr. Trombetta. Upon learning and verifying that the General
\nManager had a recent criminal record, and was thus ineligible for
\nemployment at the Local, the board had no choice but to fire him
\non the spot. On my next visit to the Local, the weight that had
\nbeen lifted from the employees was palpable.<\/p>\n
During the ensuing investigation of the bogus email account,
\nforced by my motion made at a previous membership meeting,
\nthe ex-General Manager said he had President Espinosa\u2019s
\nauthorization to create it. Mr. Espinosa denied it. But once the
\nidentity of the account\u2019s creator was made known, what further
\naction was taken against the former General Manager for this
\nmisuse of Local resources? Nothing. No union charges were
\nbrought against him, no fines, and no expulsion (he’s still a
\nmember.) The possible criminal fraud charge involving the
\nPresident’s Local 47 credit card was never pursued. I chose not
\nto pursue charges against him for identity fraud, since his capacity
\nto harass our employees or possibly misuse member information
\nhad been eliminated.<\/p>\n
Later, at the Local election in December 06, this disgraced former
\nthe ex-General Manager was much in evidence celebrating with
\nMr. Espinosa. Obviously, no hard feelings.<\/p>\n
In fact, in depositions for the wrongful termination action of Local
\n47 Referral Service business agent Errol Henry, who was fired by
\nthe hatchet man, both President Espinosa and VP Trombetta made
\nit clear that, if they could, they would rehire this same felon as
\ngeneral manager again. This serious lack of ethical judgment
\nwould be a disaster at the highest levels of our national organization.<\/p>\n
The preceding paragraphs were to give you a better idea of why
\nI have been singled out for this SPECIAL treatment. They are
\ndesperate to tie any name they can to the committee, since they
\nhave thus far been unable to.<\/p>\n
As to the further elements of Ms. Williams’ letter, She calls me
\ndisgruntled. That\u2019s the wrong \u201cd\u201d word. Los Angeles and the
\nmusic business have been very good to me. The proper word
\nwould not be disgruntled, but disgusted. Disgusted with the
\ndamage the Espinosa Administration has done to this Local and
\nour job market by their pandering to the RMALA Elites. Not to
\nmention the services being gutted and employees most valuable
\nto the rank and file being fired. Even RMA members are starting
\nto see this.<\/p>\n
As to the further elements of Ms. Williams’ letter, what was the
\n\u201cattack\u201d that supposedly damaged Ms. Williams\u2019 health? I forced
\nher to follow the Local 47 bylaws and give me a copy of the annual
\nauditor\u2019s report of Local 47 finances, something to which all
\nmembers are entitled by statute. It took five emails over four
\nweeks and threats of filing complaints to get her to obey our
\nbylaws and do the job for which she has drawn her salary for 22
\nyears. Not more than three months later, she pulled the same
\nstunt on Lisa Haley, President of the Los Angeles chapter of the
\nFreelance Musicians Association. It took Lisa over a month, a
\nvisit to the Executive Board and having to quote bylaws to them
\nto receive the final reports due to every member.<\/p>\n
Anyone experienced in union politics knows you don\u2019t survive as
\nlong as Ms. Williams if you don\u2019t know exactly what you\u2019re doing
\nand why.<\/p>\n
The only people I have been compelled to “attack” are those who
\nhave worked to thwart either the benefit, or the will, of the whole
\nmembership. Before and after gutting the Referral service with
\nthe firing of administrator Errol Henry, they tried not once, not
\ntwice, but three times to move the office from its proper location
\nmandated by lawful vote. We have had to force the Espinosa
\nAdministration to follow its own rules.<\/p>\n
Mr. Espinosa\u2019s watch as our Local president has fostered the
\ndisproportionate control enjoyed by the RMALA elites, the
\ncreation of and non-enforcement against the illegal Professional
\nMusicians Guild, and the rise of potentially dangerous outfits like
\nNew Era Scoring. Passing the buck now is not an option.<\/p>\n
Unlike Ms. Williams, when I contemplate an Espinosa presidency
\nof the AFM, I hear, not sweet music, but a death knell.<\/p>\n
I wish Ms. Williams no ill will and hope she finds contentment in
\nher retirement. I\u2019m only sorry she allowed herself to be used in
\nthis way, thus tainting her last days as our Secretary-Treasurer
\nand the office itself with this unprecedented attack on one
\nmember who was and is honorably working to hold her administration
\naccountable. This is an unfortunate end to a distinguished career.<\/p>\n
Fraternally,
\nCharles Fernandez
\nLocal 47 member since 1983
\nEmmy and Annie nominated composer<\/p>\n
——————-<\/p>\n
III. MEMBER COMMENTS ON MS.WILLIAMS AND RMA-SF DISSOLUTION<\/p>\n
To the Delegates,
\nOne very popular feature of our normal mailing is the member
\ncomments section. It can be a really wild ride. Anything goes.
\nMembers can voice any view pro or con. We only include this to
\nyou since most of these comments reflect on things you will
\ndiscuss at the convention. Should you decide to join our regular
\nlist, you will see member comments in almost every mailing.<\/p>\n
The views below represent the views of the contributing member
\nonly. They do not necessarily reflect those of the COMMITTEE.<\/p>\n
CONCERNING MS. WILLIAMS<\/p>\n
Hi Guys,
\nYou would think that with RMASF’s action, she\/anybody would
\nhave a clue that this goes way beyond one person. <\/p>\n
Please forward this, without my name, (for obvious reasons) to
\nSerena. <\/p>\n
Serena,
\nYou just proved why the Committee NEEDS to be anonymous.
\nYour slanderous ranting is just an embarrassment to the concept
\nof free and open dialogue in what is suppose to be a Democratic
\nsociety, Not to mention your ridiculous health claims regarding
\nthe committee. That you would also open the union up to lawsuits
\nwith these rants, unbelievable!
\nAll of this shows you to be incompetent to hold the office you have.
\nPlease spare the local further embarrassment by resigning TODAY.
\nSigned,
\nNot a member but a supporter of the Committee’s Right to speak up.
\nAnd for the record I do get those “July Checks” the committee talks
\nabout. <\/p>\n
Nowadays, believing in the right to speak up is considered to be
\nwhacko, far left, liberal thinking.
\nI remember when believing that meant you were an American. <\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Dear Committee, I just received this E-mail and this has some
\nserious allegations all over this message. See for yourselves. It
\nmakes me want to puke.<\/p>\n
—————<\/p>\n
Serena’s note to the membership fails to address any of the
\nsubstantive issues that some of us have raised. It illustrates,
\nmore than anything else, that she should — with all due respect
\n— resign, since she (and the administration she defends) is not
\nup to the task of reform. And I am certainly not an advocate for
\nTom Lee or union leadership on any level. I look forward to the
\nday when Tom Lee and Hal Espinosa are both unemployed.<\/p>\n
Rick Blanc
\n(please attach name as always)<\/p>\n
————- <\/p>\n
You’ve been outed! You’re not just gonna sit there & take it are
\nyou? <\/p>\n
I didn’t realize Serena could get down & dirty like that!
\n(Last comment deleted as inappropriate.)<\/p>\n
——————-<\/p>\n
CONCERNING THE RMA-SAN FRANCISCO LEAVING THE RMA<\/p>\n
\u201cQoute from a previous COMMITTEE e-mail\u2026
\nWe have known for quite some time that our own RMA business
\n practices and greed have hurt the country as well as destroyed
\nmuch of the recording work here, but now we have proof that
\ntheir practices have affected jobs far outside our geographic area.
\nAnd Hal has let them exist unrestrained in their actions to the
\ndetriment of us all.\u201d<\/p>\n
(member comment)
\n So please from your own wording, when do we impeach the
\n“HALS” and the “Phil Aylings”, that keep us non-RMA guys an
\narms distance away from work. I was even a member for two
\nyears and I was still an arms length away! <\/p>\n
How do I get a list of the RMA guys so when my projects start
\nlater this year I make sure not to hire them! It’s so sad that these
\nacquaintances and heroes that I grew up with make you want
\nfind another way to make a living…A more MUSICAL WAY.<\/p>\n
———————<\/p>\n
“In pursuing our primary goat” ? <\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Wow. Concrete evidence the that RMA stands for both Reaming
\nMusicians Annually, and Ruining Major Advantage. And Now This:
\nPMG. <\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Hi ______ ,<\/p>\n
A contractor for Skywalker Ranch has worked out a buy out
\ndeal for video games.
\nYou probably already know this, but I thought I would share. I
\nhave also heard rumors of #47 is ‘losing and mis-placing contracts’
\non a regular basis. In addition, some union members are being
\nthreatened with a letter from PSO, from the orchestra committee,
\n and letters to players for Padgent of the Masters from local 7.
\nThey are aware that some musicians are considering the so called
\n‘fi-core’ status. I realize that\u2019s a dirty word in union lingo, however
\nI believe it is illegal to engage in such tactics. It’s called ‘black
\nballing’. I have been back in LA not only a month. I can’t believe
\nthe leaders of our own union would turn against it’s own members
\nlike that. I can’t believe that it’s own members would turn against
\neach other like that. If this keeps up, we might as well be the
\norchestra on the Titanic.<\/p>\n
Ignorantly Yours,<\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
Amazingly, I can’t find any info about the AFM Convention at afm.org.
\nIf it’s there, it’s well hidden.
\nI expected it to be in your face when one opens their home site… <\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
FROM THE \u201cNOT FANS OF THE COMMITTEE\u201d SIDE<\/p>\n
You and Tom can stick it. Take me off your mailing list. Your and
\nTom’s demented effort to punish the recording community is
\nignorant and destructive. You are and will continue to lose traction
\nas more and more people see through you. Ultimately you and
\nyour patron will have to find other ways to fill your days. Great
\nmusicians will work. <\/p>\n
——————-<\/p>\n
Final word from the COMMITTEE
\nAFM Colleagues and Delegates,<\/p>\n
It should be more clear than ever that our Federation cannot allow
\nsuch a vindictive and petty crew to take over our Federation.
\nNeither Hal Espinosa, nor Vince Trombetta, nor their patrons, the
\nRMALA Elites, deserve any consideration whatsoever for a voice in
\nour AFM infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Thank you for reading!<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I. MS. WILLIAMS\u2019 ATTACK ON THE COMMITTEE II. LETTER FROM CHARLES FERNANDEZ III. MEMBERS REACTIONS TO MS. WILLIAMS AND RMASF Dear Local 47 and AFM Members, Here is why Serena\u2019s claims about the committee are false. The formation of the committee was a direct result of the Espinosa administration’s actions. It had nothing to do […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-committee-newsletters"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=43"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=43"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=43"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=43"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}